Other symptoms

More serious symptoms can appear if worms get into other parts of the body, such as the brain or liver.

Read more about the complications of tapeworm infections.

When to see your GP

See your GP if:

you see any worms or bits of worm in your or your child's poo

you have any worrying symptoms that don't go away, such as tummy pain, diarrhoea, or weight loss

If you see a worm in your poo, it can help to put the poo in a clean container and take it to your GP. They can send it to a laboratory to find out what it is.

If you don't have a sample to bring in, your doctor may give you a container and ask you collect one when you next do a poo. They may also look for eggs or small worms around your bottom.

As tapeworms are rare in the UK, your GP may refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatment if they think you might have one.

Treatment for a tapeworm infection

A tapeworm infection can usually be treated with a single tablet of a prescription medicine called niclosamide or praziquantel. This kills the worm so it passes out in your poo.

In the weeks after taking the tablet, make sure you wash your hands regularly – particularly before eating and after using the toilet. This will stop any eggs getting into your mouth and infecting you again.

A sample of your poo will be checked after a few months to see if the treatment has worked.

Even if you've passed a large piece of worm, this doesn't always mean it's gone completely. It could regrow if some of it's left in your gut.

How you get tapeworms

You can get a tapeworm infection if their eggs or small newly hatched worms (larvae) get in your mouth.

There are several ways this can happen, including:

eating raw or undercooked beef, pork, or freshwater fish (like salmon or trout) – these can contain live tapeworm larvae if they're not cooked thoroughly

drinking water or eating food that contains or has been in contact with bits of poo of an infected person or animal

close contact with someone who has a tapeworm – they may pass out eggs in their poo, which can get on clothing, surfaces, and food

Tapeworms are found throughout the world, including in the UK, but you're more likely to get them in places with poor sanitation and less strict food hygiene standards.

Preventing tapeworm infections

To help reduce your chances of getting a tapeworm:

don't eat raw or undercooked pork, beef, or freshwater fish

cook meat and fish thoroughly and all the way through – don't allow raw meat or fish to touch cooked meat or fish

Take extra care if you work or live closely with animals or are staying in a part of the world where tapeworm infections are common.

Complications of tapeworm infections

In rare cases, tapeworms can cause serious problems if newly hatched worms get from the gut into other organs, such as the brain or liver.

The worms can form sacs called cysts, which can stop the affected organ working properly.

This can only occur if you swallow the eggs of a type of tapeworm found in pigs, which can happen if tiny bits of poo of someone with this tapeworm get into your mouth. It can't happen from eating pork.